E5-6523. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the “Corporation”), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. This form is available in alternate formats. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) may call [phone] between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its proposed collection of State Service Plans from State Commissions. These plans are submitted by State Commissions as required by statute. The plans are elicited in order to assure that national service and volunteer service entities within a state are aware of each other and are coordinating activities to maximize their ability to leverage both human and financial resources in order to address significant unmet community needs.

Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the address section of this notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by January 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods:

(1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps State and National, Amy Borgstrom, Associate Director for Policy, 1201 New York Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20525.

(2) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at Room 8100 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

(3) By fax to: [phone], Attention Amy Borgstrom, Associate Director for Policy.

(4) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Amy Borgstrom, [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Corporation is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Corporation, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses).

Under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, each State commission must submit a State Service Plan every three years. Each State Commission, after consulting with other service providers in the State, is responsible for submitting a plan to assure that national service and volunteer service entities within the State are aware of each other and, to the extent possible, coordinate activities and use service to address state priorities. In 2006, States will submit their plans via letter or e-mail.

Current Action

The Corporation seeks OMB clearance for a new information collection. It consists of the following instruction:

In 2006, the Corporation requests that you address the following questions in order to comply with the statutory requirement to provide a State Service Plan:

1. What are the specific programmatic areas your state is focusing upon?

2. Please describe ongoing efforts or special initiatives that involve collaborating with the Corporation State Office, State Education Agencies, state networks of volunteer centers, Campus Compacts, National Direct grantees and/or other service organizations within the state.

3. What support do you believe you need from the Corporation (Headquarter Offices and/or your State Office) in order for your State Plan to be successful?

Your State Service Plan may also include other elements that you and your service partners find useful.

Type of Review: New.

Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.

Title: State Service Plans.

OMB Number: None.

Agency Number: None.

Affected Public: State Service Commissions.

Total Respondents: 54.

Frequency: Every three years.

Average Time per Response: Averages 24 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1296 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: November 18, 2005.

Rosie K. Mauk,

Director, AmeriCorps.